Daily West Des Moines Logo Daily West Des Moines

Sunday, June 15th, 2025

SHARE

Good morning, West Des Moines. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 15th of June.

CULTURE NEWS

  • Cajun Fest 2025 in West Des Moines featured a 16-pound bacon-wrapped alligator as a new dining attraction—organizer Steven Smith introduced unique gator tables to share Louisiana flavors. The festival included live music, street performers and Southern dishes, and it has donated over $100,000 to local charities—organizers plan to return with similar attractions next year.  WHO13

GOVERNMENT NEWS

  • A historical marker honoring 1,200 Black soldiers who trained as officers at Fort Des Moines during World War I was unveiled yesterday at the Fort Des Moines Museum—led by retired Army veteran Don North and attended by local officials including Mayor Connie Boesen. The ceremony commemorated the only Black officer training site from the war and celebrated the soldiers' contributions during a time of segregation.  Des Moines Register
  • A Des Moines woman arrived in Israel for a family wedding hours before hostilities erupted between Israel and Iran, causing flights to be grounded and shelter alerts to be issued. Her planned return on June 24 is now uncertain as air travel remains suspended—she noted feeling safe despite the frequent siren warnings.  KCCI

EVENTS

SUBMIT EVENT
  • Drop-in Craft: Mini Dino Parachutes

    Craft times — All week — Des Moines Public Library — Free — Make mini parachutes for your favorite dino and have fun while learning at the library.

    Mon, 6/16/25

    View event
  • Alzheimer's Association Happy Hour

    4-6 p.m. — Lua Brewing — Free entry — Unwind and connect over drinks while supporting a great cause in a relaxed atmosphere.

    Tue, 6/17/25

    View event
  • Mindfulness Meditation Workshop

    1:30 – 2:30 PM — Des Moines Public Library — Free entry — Explore the roots of mindfulness and engage in a guided meditation session.

    Wed, 6/18/25

    View event
  • Kindermusik Class

    5:30-6:15 p.m. — Hoyt Sherman Place — Cost varies — Explore the magical world of music designed for young children.

    Thu, 6/19/25

    View event
  • Mini Dino Parachutes Craft

    All day — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free entry — Create your very own Mini Dino Parachutes during a fun drop-in craft session this summer.

    Fri, 6/20/25

    View event
  • Fast Henry Duo Live Performance

    12-3 p.m. — Annie’s Irish Pub — Free entry — Enjoy the local sounds of Fast Henry Duo while relaxing at your favorite Irish pub.

    Sat, 6/21/25

    View event
  • Summer Music Series: Jonas Magram

    5-7:30 p.m. — Exile Brewing Company — All-day happy hour with $4.50 pints — Enjoy live music and patio vibes at this local summer event.

    Sun, 6/22/25

    View event
  • Meet Author Nikki Erlick

    6-7 p.m. — Des Moines Public Library - Central Library — Free admission — Explore the imaginative world of Nikki Erlick's latest novel 'The Poppy Fields' and enjoy a book signing.

    Mon, 6/23/25

    View event
  • MY PAINTING ERA CAMP! Day 1: 1989

    9 AM – 12 PM — Painting with a Twist — Cost info not provided — Pick a painting, invite friends, and enjoy step-by-step instruction with local artists.

    Tue, 6/24/25

    View event
  • Lunch & Learn: Resources for Small Businesses

    11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — Elevator, a Co-Warehousing Community — Free — Discover game-changing resources and network with fellow entrepreneurs while enjoying a complimentary lunch.

    Wed, 6/25/25

    View event

REAL ESTATE

SUBMIT LISTING

No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.

JOB BOARD

SUBMIT JOB

No new job posts today. You can submit one here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

SUBMIT

No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.

TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The enemy of art is the absence of constraints.

~ Orson Welles

About Daily West Des Moines

Welcome to the Daily West Des Moines, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the West Des Moines, Iowa community. If you like the Daily West Des Moines, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in West Des Moines.

Advertising Opportunities

Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in West Des Moines and across Iowa. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.

Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.

Community, delivered

Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Subscribe to Daily West Des Moines

A free West Des Moines community newsletter.

Daily local news
We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
6AM City
A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.

© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here